NEW POLL AFFIRMS STATEWIDE DFL STRENGTH

01/19/2006

Conservative newspaper’s poll shows DFL statewide candidates running strong against Republican opponents

ST. PAUL (01/19/06) - Republicans Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Mark Kennedy are continuing to lose the support of Minnesotans, according to a Wall Street Journal/Zogby poll released today.  When matched with every DFL challenger, Pawlenty fails to garner the support of more than 42 percent of Minnesotans and Kennedy fails to garner the support of more than 43.3 percent of Minnesotans.

“The poll from a conservative newspaper confirms the trend we have been seeing in recent months,” said Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez.  “Minnesotans are growing tired of the Republican culture of corruption at both the state and federal levels.  We saw it in the recent DFL special election victories, and we are seeing it again to day.  The voters know that Minnesota can do better.

“The DFL Party is offering strong candidates with positive visions for this state and country.  Each candidate is running a strong campaign, and they are speaking honestly with the people of Minnesota. The poll is evidence that the honest, positive approach is working. 

“Over the next 10 months, the DFL Party will keep laying out a distinct, positive agenda that focuses on education, health care, jobs, transportation, and the environment - while the Republican Party offers only one scandal after another.  This poll shows that the DFL Party’s priorities are the priorities of the people of Minnesota.”

The poll results for the U.S. Senate race:

Patty Wetterling: 50.8
Mark Kennedy: 39.9

Amy Klobuchar: 48.6
Mark Kennedy: 42.8

Mark Kennedy: 43.3
Ford Bell: 42.8

The results in the race for governor:

Mike Hatch: 44.9
Tim Pawlenty: 41.4

Tim Pawlenty: 42.2
Steve Kelley: 38.7

Tim Pawlenty: 42
Becky Lourey: 39.4

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David Ruth
Director of Communications
Minnesota DFL
(651) 251-6314 (o)
(612) 702-9473 (c)
(651) 251-6325 (f)

http://www.dfl.org